The Cause of Macular Degeneration - Discussion

What is the cause of macular degeneration?

Unfortunately, no one really knows exactly what causes this common eye disease. However, research has been conducted and has shown that some people have a more significant chance of getting it than others.

So, what are some of these risk factors that can make a person be at high risk for macular degeneration?

Some of the risk factors include cardiovascular disease, age, gender, smoking, race, obesity, family history, high blood pressure, and having a low intake of leafy green vegetables. At the same time, not one of these factors is necessarily a cause of macular degeneration; however, they could increase your chances of getting it.

Age is one of the greatest risk factors. While macular degeneration can happen during middle age, research has proven that people over the age of 60 are more likely to develop it.

Smoking is a personal choice that you make that could increase your risk of developing the disease, thus this is a possible contributing cause of macular degeneration. Research has also shown a link between obesity and the progression of macular degeneration.

Race can play a part, too. African Americans are less likely to lose their vision from macular degeneration than Caucasians, although people of every race have developed it. It might not necessarily be race, either, that poses a high concern, but rather the shade of your skin. Macular degeneration is found more commonly in people whose skin is lightly pigmented. Meanwhile, women tend to be at a higher risk for it than men.

In addition, family history can put you at risk. People who have immediate family members with macular degeneration are at a higher risk of developing it themselves than those people who do not have the disease in their family history.

While not a cause of macular degeneration per se, even eye color can be a risk factor. Those people who have irises that are lightly colored are more likely to develop macular degeneration that those whose irises are dark.

It has also been suggested that people who have had lifelong careers of working outdoors in the sunlight, as well as those who live closer to the equator, are more apt to be at risk for it as well.

Some medications, such as Fosamax that is used for osteoporosis, could predispose people to macular degeneration. Could such drugs be a cause of macular degeneration?

It is important to bear in mind that the risk factors are not always what cause macular degeneration. Simply possessing some of these does not always mean that you will develop the disease. Likewise, many people who get the disease do not possess any of these risk factors.

If you think that you might be at risk for macular degeneration, then you should discuss this concern with your health care practitioner. If you are over the age of 60, then you are at a higher risk and should get a regular eye exam at least every two years.

There are also some natural ways to address your health that might lower your risk areas in some instances. Eating a healthy diet with leafy green vegetables, keeping your weight stable, not smoking, and doing things to lower your blood pressure will not only keep you healthy, but will also lower some of the common risk factors found in macular degeneration. As any of these factors could be a contributing cause of macular degeneration, these preventative steps will help keep the disease at bay.

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